Tamper indicating package

ABSTRACT

A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and a tamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakened portions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axially upwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the base wall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portion which has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead on the container when the closure is threaded onto the container. The second portion comprises a plurality of segment portions extending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. The flange is bent intermediate its ends so that the second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle than the first continuous flange portion. The tamper indicating band has a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses on an inner surface into which the segments extend when the closure is being applied to a container.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/535,803 filed Sep. 28, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,446, whichcontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/239,141 filed May 6,1994, now U.S. Pat, No. 5,462,184 which is a division of applicationSer. No. 08/224,365 filed Apr. 7, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,520which was a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/987,035 filed Dec.7, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,069, which was a divisional ofapplication Ser. No. 07/822,001 filed Jan. 16, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No.5,219,507, which was a division of application Ser. No. 07/386,391 filedJul. 27, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,090,788.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tamper indicating packages.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In packaging of containers having closures thereon, it has been commonto provide tamper indicating packages wherein the tamper indicating bandis connected to the closure along the weakened line provided by aplurality of bridges or a scoreline and interengaging means between theband and the container are such that when the closure is unthreaded fromthe container, the band is severed along the bridge portions to indicatethat the closure has been tampered with.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,918 issued to Jean Grussen on Jul. 26, 1983, athreaded closure carries a hold ring that is joined to the bottom of thecap skirt by a series of breakable tabs and the hold ring has an insidediameter that is at least equal to the outside diameter of the capskirt. A plurality of lock lugs supported on the ring are inclinedupwardly and inwardly and are intended to hook behind a collar or matingring on the container neck to prevent the hold ring from being liftedoff the container neck when the cap is unscrewed.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,844, having a common assignee with the presentapplication, there is disclosed and claimed an arrangement wherein acontinuous annular flange extends from the lower end of the tamperindicating band and is inclined upwardly and inwardly. Such anarrangement is effective but has the disadvantage in that the continuousflange requires excessive force to apply the closure to the container incertain extreme tolerance conditions.

In an effort to reduce the force required to apply the closure, it hasheretofore been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,657 that the free edgeof the continuous annular flange be provided with a plurality ofsegments to facilitate application of the closure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,771 proposes the use of a plurality of spaced-apartring segments on the tamper indicating band to define independentlyfoldable ring segments and a plurality of resilient tabs connected toeach end of each ring segment so that the free ends of the tabs bear onthe bead or ledge of the container.

In the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,788, 5,219,507, 5,310,069,5,370,520 and 5,462,184 and application Ser. No. 08/535,803, there isdisclosed a tamper indicating package and a method and apparatus formaking the package. The tamper indicating package comprises a containerhaving a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on the neck, aplastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheralskirt having threads interengaging the threads of the container, and atamper indicating band attached to the skirt by a plurality of weakenedportions defining a line of severing. An annular flange extends axiallyupwardly and inwardly from the tamper indicating band toward the basewall of the closure and comprises a first continuous annular flangeportion connected to the band by a hinge portion and a second portionwhich has free ends of the segment portions engaging beneath the bead onthe container when the closure is threaded onto the container. In oneform, the second portion comprises a plurality of segment portionsextending upwardly and inwardly from the first continuous portion. Inanother form, the second portion comprises a second continuous flangeportion. The flange is bent intermediate its ends so that the secondportion extends inwardly at a greater angle than the first continuousflange portion.

Among the objectives of the present invention are to provide a tamperindicating package of the type shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,090,788, 5,219,507, 5,310,069, 5,370,520 and 5,462,184 andapplication Ser. No. 08/535,803 filed Sep. 28, 1995 wherein the tamperindicating band is attached to the closure by bridges formed by anotched knife score line, that is, by use of an interrupted knife havingan interrupted edge. The improvement relates to a notched knife scoredclosure of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patents and patentapplication which has and improved tamper evidency, ease of application,and minimizes band breakage on application by the closure applyingmachinery.

In accordance with the invention, the tamper indicating closure has atamper indicating band which circumferentially spaced recesses forreceiving portions of the segment portions during application of theclosure to a container. The tamper indicating band has projections onits inner surface which extend into the seats between the segmentportions when the closure is being applied. Each projection has a lengthin an axial direction and a width in a transverse direction. The upperportion of each projection blends with the inner surface of the tamperindicating band. The side surface of each projection converge toward thelower end. The sides of the slots are preferably V-shaped. Each segmentportion is generally rectangular including a straight upper edgeinclined sides to define the slots. Each recess is generallycomplementary in shape to each portion and includes an upper transversesurface and a base surface and side walls the lower ends of which mergewith the inner surface of said tamper indicating band.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of a package embodying theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the package shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package on an enlargedscale.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portionof the closure.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the application of theclosure to the container.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the closure as it is molded.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the closureshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of aportion of the closure shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 8B is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of aportion of the closure shown in FIG. 8A, after it has been formed to itsfinal configuration.

FIGS. 9-14 are partly diagrammatical sectional views showing theinversion of the flange from the as-molded position to the finalposition in closure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the inversion of the flange on thetamper indicating band of the closure.

FIGS. 16-18 are sectional views of portions of a modified closure.

FIGS. 19-21 are sectional views of portions of another modified closure.

FIG. 22 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the relativeposition of the container and closure during removal of the closure.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of closure inposition on a container.

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the container and closure shown in FIG.23 during removal of the closure.

FIG. 25A is a fragmentary sectional view of the closure shown in FIGS.23 and 24 as it is molded.

FIG. 25B is a fragmentary sectional view of the closure shown in FIG.25A after it is has been formed to its final configuration.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of another modified form of closure as it ismolded.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the closure shown inFIG. 26 after it is formed and applied to a container.

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the closure of FIG. 26as it is being removed.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 8B of a modifiedform of closure in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of theclosure shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 31--31 in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31 taken along the line 32--32 in FIG.31, showing the closure after being molded.

FIG. 33 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 30 showing theclosure being applied to a container.

FIG. 34 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the closure duringremoval from a container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the tamper indicating package embodying theinvention comprises a container 30 having a finish or neck 31 and aclosure 32. The closure 32 is formed of thermoplastic material such aspolypropylene or polyethylene which is molded as a single unit andcomprises a generally disc shaped top or base wall 33 with a cylindricaldepending skirt portion 34 (FIG. 2). A tamper indicating band 35 whichis generally cylindrical is connected to the peripheral skirt 34 by aweakened line defined by bridges or scored portions of the skirt 34,herein shown as an interrupted scoreline 36. Interengaging threads 32a,31a are provided on the closure and neck and cooperate to apply and holdthe closure in position on the container. The container 30 includes anannular bead 37.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8B, an annular flange 40 is connected tothe inner surface of the tamper indicating band by an integral hingeportion 41 that is spaced so that it extends radially inwardly of theinner surface of the tamper indicating band 35 and the flange 40 extendsupwardly and inwardly toward the base wall of the closure. The flange 40includes a first continuous annular flange portion 42 that extends fromhinge portion 41 at a slight angle radially inwardly before the closureis applied to the container. The flange 40 further includes a secondportion in the form of a plurality of integral circumferentially spacedsegment portions 43 extending from the free edge of the first continuousflange portion 42. The flange 40 is bent at X intermediate its ends sothat the free ends of the segment portions 43 extend at a different andgreater angle with the axis of the closure than the first continuousflange portion 42 of the annular flange 41. The annular flange portion42 thus has a first pivot or hinge relative to the band 35 through hingeportion 41 and the segment portions 43 have a second hinge with respectto the remainder of flange 40 at X. The first continuous flange portion42 extends axially at a very small acute angle with respect to the band35 so that it is substantially vertical before the closure is applied tothe container.

The width of each segment portion 43 is at least several times greaterthan the thickness at its smaller cross section. The segment portionsare generally rectangular and closely spaced apart by narrow slots Ssuch that the segment portions comprise the major portion of the secondportion. The number of segment portions 43 is preferably twelve but maybe as few as two. The slots S preferably extend from the free edge ofthe segments beyond the bend line X so that the length of the segmentportions 43 is greater than the corresponding length of flange portion42. Satisfactory results have been achieved where segment portions 43 ofthe flange 40 comprise about 60% of the flange 40 while the flangeportion 42 comprises about 40%. However, the length of the slots mayvary. It is essential that the continuous flange portion 42 have asufficient dimension or length so that the flange 40 will remaininverted, without heat forming and curing, as hereinafter described.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the closure 32 is applied to the container 30,the continuous flange portion 42 first engages the annular bead 37 onthe container 30 and flexes the flange 40 outwardly. During application,the first continuous portion flexes radially outwardly and the free endsof segment portions 43 may contact the inner surface of band 35. Furtherthreading of the closure on the container causes segment portions 43 toflex radially inwardly beneath the bead 37 of the container 30 (FIG. 3).When the closure is applied, the first continuous flange portion 42 issubstantially vertical and the free edges of segment portions 43 engagethe neck of the container below bead 37.

It has been found that the closure which forms part of the tamperindicating package requires a substantially lower application force inapplying the closure and yet effectively provides the desired tamperindicating protection. It is believed that the considerable reduction inapplication force to pass over the bead on the container is achieved byreducing the hoop strength of the flange 40 toward its extremity. It ispreferred that the bend in the flange 40 be at or near the juncture ofthe segment portions 43 with the flange portion 42. In such anarrangement, the segment portions 43 are at a thickness at the bend lineX such that they are able to bend approximately along hinge line X. Aradially outward force on the tips of the segment portions 43 will firstcause bending at the second hinge line X and thus allow easierdeflection of the segment portions 43 of the flange 40, thereby reducingapplication force. Where the length of the slots S is such that the baseof the slots is intermediate the bend line X and the free ends of thesegment portions 43, the segment portions 43 may flex adjacent the baseof the slots that define the segment portions.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the closure is rotated to remove the closurefrom the container, the free edges of segment portions 43 engage thebead 37. Continued rotation of the closure 32 causes the flange 40 tobend along the line X and bring the segment portions 43 into engagementwith the inner inclined surface of band 35. Further rotation causes theband to be severed along the scoreline.

Although the closure could, by complex molding apparatus, be made to thefinal configuration as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferred that the closurebe made with the flange 40 extending radially and inwardly and axiallyoutwardly away from the base wall of the closure. Accordingly, as shownin FIGS. 6 and 7, the closure 32 is preferably molded by injectionmolding or compression molding with the annular flange portion 42 andsegments extending radially downwardly and inwardly relative to the basewall 33 of the closure 32 with the annular flange and segments beingpreferably aligned with one another. More specifically, as shown in FIG.7, the first hinge portion 41 connecting the annular flange portion 42to the band 35 includes an upper inclined surface 45 that extendsdownwardly and inwardly from the inner surface of band 35 and thatmerges through an arc to a straight upper surface on the annular flangeportion 42 and segment portions. The lower surface 47 of the annularflange 40 is at an angle to the upper surface so that the flange 40becomes increasingly thicker toward the free end. The lower surface 48of the hinge 41 is generally horizontal connected by small arc to theinterior surface of the peripheral skirt.

After forming to the configuration shown in FIG. 8A, the flange 40 canbe deformed to provide the flange portion 42 at a substantially verticalangle and deform to form the bend X and then the flange 40 may beinverted in accordance with well-known techniques. However, it has beenfound by proper control of the inversion process, the continuous flangeportion 42 can be deformed so that it is substantially vertical and thebend X can be simultaneously formed during the inversion. Morespecifically, by proper control of the inversion, the elastic limit ofthe flange portion 42 can be exceeded to decrease the angle which theflange portion 42 forms with the axis of the closure and the elasticlimit of the flange at the line X can be exceeded to form the benddesired.

It has been found that the inversion of the annular flange portion 42and segment portions 43 to form the separate angular relationshipbetween the annular flange portion and the segment portion 43 ispreferably achieved by a plunger or mandrel M such as shown in FIGS.9-14 and comprises a free end having a cap centering cone 50, a threadlocation diameter for engaging the diameter of the threads of theclosure, a first inclined portion, a pilot diameter 52 and a laterallyinclined inverting shoulder 53 that engages the segment portions toinvert the segment portions and the annular flange portion, as presentlydescribed.

The successive steps during the inversion are shown in FIGS. 9-14 andinclude the following:

a) The closure is advanced into the tooling nest radially with respectto a machine, and is approximately located on center by an invertingmandrel M. The mandrel M may at this time be rotating in order to effecta subsequent scoring operation.

b) Relative axial movement takes place between the closure 32 and themandrel M by cam actuation of the respective tooling (top and bottom).

c) The relative advance of the mandrel M to the closure 32 initiallyengages the segment portions 43 of the closure against the cap centeringcone 50 (FIG. 9). This action centers the closure 32 under the mandrel Mby displacing the closure sideways as necessary to correct misalignment.

d) As the above relative movement continues, the segment portions 43engage the thread location diameter 51, and the friction therebetweenmay impart a rotational motion to the closure, if desired, such thatwhen the segment portions 43 reach the pilot diameter 52, the closure iseither at or close to the rotational speed of the mandrel (FIG. 10).

e) As the segment portions 43 engage the pilot diameter 52, they engagewith more interference, and this is critical for this inversion method.The hoop strengths of the flange portion 42 and segment portions 43direct the free ends of the segment portions 43 toward the mandrel M,and thus ensure that they do not slip over the inverting shoulder 53(FIG. 11). Further, this interference provides further rotational driveto the cap, if desired, and for this reason it is preferred that therelative axial movement is in dwell at this time to ensure that there islittle or no relative rotational movement between the closure and theinversion shoulder at the time of inversion. This reduces thepossibility of scuffing of the tips of the segment portions.

It is desirable at this time that the thread location diameter 51 of themandrel engage the closure threads to hold the closure 32 in firmconcentric relationship to the mandrel M.

Further, relative axial movement of the mandrel M with respect to thelower tooling (and closure) causes the flange 40 to be foldeddownwardly, and initially to be contained within the annular spacebetween the pilot diameter of the mandrel and the band 35 (FIG. 11).This causes a bending within the section of the flange 40, the center ofthis bending moving in the direction downward toward the top 33 of the(upside down) closure (FIG. 12).

This action continues, whereby the bending action passes along theflange toward its tip, and toward successively increasing thickness ofsegment portions 43 (FIG. 13). At some point in this process, the bandis expanded such that the segment portions 43 are inverted by the axialmovement of the mandrel (FIG. 13).

This action initially induces a stress in the segment at the bend lineX, which causes a permanent bend in the flange 40 toward the inside ofthe closure.

As the mandrel M advances further, the shoulder 52 passes through thediameter of the first hinge 41 (FIG. 14).

This action causes the continuous annular flange 42 to be moved suchthat the flange portion 42 exceeds the elastic limit at the hinge 41 sothat it remains in a substantially vertical position in the finalclosure after the closure is removed from the mandrel. This furtherreduces the interference of the hinge over the tamper bead of thecontainer to which it is applied.

During withdrawal of the mandrel, the closure 32 is removed by a fixedstripper (not shown) which engages the rim of the closure 32, andextends at least 180° around the circumference of the closure (notillustrated).

The plunge invert tooling described thus has two major effects:

(a) Deforming the flange portion 42 back toward the closure wall 35.

(b) Forming the bend X to create a permanent bend, to allow the segmentportions 43 to project radially inwardly to a greater angle than thefirst continuous flange portion 42.

It has been found that after inversion in the manner described above,the flange 40 is in stable condition and this has been achieved withoutthe necessity of heating.

In the form of closure shown in FIGS. 16-18, the flange 40a has segmentportions 43 with raised portions 60 along each axial edge thereofpositioned adjacent the inner surface of the flange 40a when the flange40a is inverted. Such a thickening of the side edges provides rigidityto each segment portion 43a in an axial direction while permittingcircumferential flexing of each segment portion 43a so that it may tendto conform with the finish.

In the form shown in FIGS. 19-21, a raised rib 61 on the flange 40bperforms a similar function.

In the form of closure shown in FIGS. 23, 24, 25A and 25B, the secondportion 43a comprises a second continuous flange portion which isconnected to continuous flange portion 42 and extends at a greater angletherefrom. In all other respects, the closure is similar, is made in thesame manner, and functions in the same manner.

In the modified form of closure shown in FIGS. 26-28, the closure isidentical to that shown in FIGS. 2-8A and 8B except for the provision ofcircumferentially spaced axially extending projections 50 on the innersurface of the band 35 above the inclined surface 45. The projectionsare aligned with the slots S and have a width slightly less than thewidth of the slots. The length of the projections as shown in FIGS. 27and 28 is such that lower edges of the projections are not engaged bythe second portion of the flange 40, namely, the segment portions 43.

When the closure is applied to the container, the projections functionto deter any attempts to tamper with the tamper indicating band byhooking a tool on the segment portions 43.

The aforementioned construction is substantially disclosed in theaforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,090,788, 5,219,507, 5,310,069,5,370,520, 5,462,184 and continuing application Ser. No. 08/535,803.

A modified form of plastic closure is shown in FIGS. 29-34. This form issubstantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 1-8B. The tamperindicating band 35 is provided with circumferentially spaced axiallyextending recesses 60 which face radially inwardly on the inside surface61. Each recess 60 on the tamper indicating band 35 has a generallyrectangular cross section including an upwardly and outwardly inclinedsurface 63 and a radial surface 62. The axial height of each recess 60is less than the axial length of each segment 43 on flange 40 of band35. The axial height width of each recess 60 is greater than the axialheight of the segment 43 and the circumferential width of each isgreater than the circumferential width of each segment 43 such that therecesses 60 and segments 43 are generally complementary. As a result,when the closure is applied to a container, a part of each segment 43extends into the adjacent recess 60 during application of the closure toa container as shown in FIG. 33.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, circumferentiallyspaced raised axial ribs or projections 64 are provided on the insidesurface 62 of the band 35 between recesses 60. The upper end of eachprojection 64 is rounded. Each projection 64 extends axially and isgenerally triangular conforming to the configuration of the slotsbetween segments 43. Referring to FIG. 34, when the closure is beingremoved, the projections 64 project through the slots between segments43 and engage the annular bead 37 on the container during removal. Theprojections assist in centering the closure and maintaining the band 35more concentric to the finish to avoid tiring or inverting action of theband 35 which can result if the band 35 is allowed to move laterally ofthe finish. The projections 64 also provide additional strength to theband 35 having recesses therein. The overall weight of a closure withrecesses 60 and projections 64 remains, however, substantially the sameas closure without recesses and projections.

It can thus be seen that there has been provided a tamper indicatingpackage with an improved arrangement for interengaging the closure withthe container so that when the closure is removed the tamper indicatingband remains on the container; wherein the closure can be readilyapplied to the container; and wherein the tamper indicating packageeffectively minimized tampering.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tamper indicating closure comprisinga plasticclosure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirthaving threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and atamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakenedportions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extendingaxially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band towardsaid base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a firstcontinuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of saidtamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from saidinner surface of said band, said flange being bent intermediate its endssuch that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to theaxis of said closure than said first portion being adapted to engagebeneath a bead on a container, said second portion comprising aplurality of circumferentially spaced segments separated by narrow slotsextending upwardly and inwardly from the continuous flange, said bandhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses constructed andarranged such that when the closure is being applied to a container, apart of each segment extends into the adjacent recess.
 2. The tamperindicating closure set forth in claim 1 wherein said recesses andsegments are complementary in shape.
 3. The tamper indicating closureset forth in claim 2 wherein the recesses have a circumferential widthsubstantially equal to the circumferential width of said segments. 4.The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 3 wherein the axialheight of each said recess is greater than the axial height of each saidsegment.
 5. The tamper indicating closure set forth in any one of claims1-4 including a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections on theinner surface of said band between said segments such that when thesegments engage an annular bead on a container when the closure is beingremoved from a container, the projections extend into the slots betweensaid segments to assist in maintaining concentricity of the tamperindication closure on the container.